Using non-runflats with "fix-a-flat" + compressor - help

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May 8, 2005 | 03:23 PM

Aheash

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Melting Slicks

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Using non-runflats with "fix-a-flat" + compressor - help

For those of you that do that, what did you get and where? How much did it cost you? Did you have any problems as far as needing another tire pressure sensor in the event the sealant had to be used?

It's an idea I'm toying with, since my stock Goodyears are, um, not so thick at the moment, at 20,000 miles.

May 8, 2005 | 03:39 PM

leaftye

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From: San Diego, CA "leaf" "tee" "e"

Why not just use plugs? With a plug kit, your compressor, a towel, and a lug nut wrench, you'll be good to go....well, a good set of needle nose biscripts has been useful for me too. It's not as convenient as fix-a-flat, but you don't have to worry about killing a sensor either.

May 8, 2005 | 03:47 PM

Aheash

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Hmm, I suppose ... is it a hassle to plug your own tire enough to get it to a place where it can be properly fixed?

That, and with the plug kits you can get off the shelf, how reliable are they vs. your usual, off-rim fix at a tire place?

How much does that kit and a small car-borne compressor cost, anyway (as compared to a sensor) ... trying to save some money AND get something a bit better than the infamous run-craps.

Last edited by Aheash; May 8, 2005 at 04:34 PM.

May 8, 2005 | 06:11 PM

ronman99vette

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From: Atlanta, GA

I bought a patch kit for under $10. The small compressor was not much more. I think it was less than $20. I also bought a small flashlight and a can of the fixaflat stuff incase of an emergency. $35 should get you what you need.
R

May 8, 2005 | 08:30 PM

Stock Man

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From: Vancouver

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I had to use a plug kit on my runflats and got another 20k out of the tire. Plugs are the way to go. I'd never use the fix a flat stuff. It makes a real mess. And it unbalances the tire big time. Plugs are easy and safe. My .02

May 8, 2005 | 10:46 PM

napacruzerc5

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From: Napa Ca

I have the compressor, tire plugs set-up. However I also carry a can of the fix-a-flat sealant for real emergencies when I don't have the time to mess with the plugs and value my safety more than the pressure sensor.

May 8, 2005 | 10:58 PM

leaftye

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From: San Diego, CA "leaf" "tee" "e"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Veri

That, and with the plug kits you can get off the shelf, how reliable are they vs. your usual, off-rim fix at a tire place?

I had about a dozen flats on runflats and regular tires during the 3 1/2 years I lived in Albuquerque, NM. I used regular Autozone/Walmart type plugs to fix them all. I used those self-plugged tires until they wore out. I only had to redo one plug, but I knew immediately that I had done it wrong because I could easily tell that I didn't get enough of the plug to go down the hole. I gotta tell you that there seems to be some difference between plugs, and Autozone is better, but Walmart plugs still work. I prefer the tools with T-handles because they're easier to shove into the tire.

I used fix-a-flat a long time ago, and it was a messy frustrating process. It kept leaking out the tire and the valve stem, and it took forever to plug the hole. I never really trusted it. If I had plugs and fix-a-flat around to fix a flat, I'd use plugs everytime.

I've never taken a tire into the shop to have them fix it off the rim since plugs have worked so well for me. Because of my success with plugs, I've never bought tire insurance either.

May 8, 2005 | 11:23 PM

loudsam

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From: Country Boys Can Survive.

I plug tires. Never had a problem, and 99% of the time never had a plug fail. To each his own, but, there's not much that can go wrong with a proper plug job, period.

P.S. I also plug cats and other varmints. Works everytime!!